Strata

ROLE OVERVIEW

Director, Investment Operations – Greater Philadelphia/ Delaware Lead

We are seeking an accomplished and entrepreneurially minded Director to lead our Operations Practice and serve as the regional leader for the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware hub, aligned with our global operating model. This is a senior leadership role requiring an executive who combines deep Aladdin platform expertise with a proven track record of delivering large-scale operational transformation engagements at leading asset management firms.

The Director will drive practice growth, develop client relationships, lead complex engagements from pursuit through delivery, and build and mentor a high-performing team of Aladdin specialists

Workplace Values

The post holder will be expected to operate in line with our workplace values which are:

• Growth mindset
• Resilience
• Community
• Humility
• Positivity
• Creativity
• Openness

BEHAVIOURS & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Practice Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as the Operations Practice specialist leading its growth across the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware region, coordinating time effectively between client-facing project work, building the Practice, and developing its proposition.
• Manage and take accountability for the overall Operations Practice target profitability, keeping track of revenue margins and conducting budget reviews to maximize profits in line with Strata's company objectives.
• Develop practice strategies and priorities—including Practice and People plans—demonstrating transparency around decision-making and creating clear long-term strategies focused on adding value to asset management clients, whilst fully engaging with senior leaders across the business and externally to support strategic direction.
• Maintain a solid understanding of the latest industry trends and demands in investment operations and the Aladdin ecosystem, as well as an understanding of how competitor firms are competing within similar verticals.
• Set and maintain a clear direction within the Operations Practice with highly focused priorities and outcomes. Drive a performance culture across the practice that gives the team the space and authority to deliver objectives, while holding them accountable for outcomes.

Client Engagement

• Proactively present at and attend industry events, conferences, and BlackRock Aladdin ecosystem forums to be recognised as a subject matter expert in investment operations and Aladdin implementation.
• Create appropriate strategies and materials for marketing that build Strata's brand awareness and increase sales within the Operations Practice across the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware region.
• Take responsibility for multiple client accounts by implementing effective account plans and taking accountability for resourcing maps and overall delivery.
• Manage client account relationships through on-site visits, introductions to other Strata team members, social activities, and ensuring up-to-date Strata collateral is provided to relevant client contacts.

Aladdin Implementation & Delivery Oversight

• Lead and oversee full lifecycle Aladdin implementation engagements—from scoping and design through configuration, testing, and go-live—ensuring delivery quality, milestone adherence, and client satisfaction across all active engagements.
• Design target operating models for investment operations, portfolio management, risk, and compliance functions aligned to Aladdin capabilities, guiding clients through data governance, workflow redesign, and change management challenges inherent in platform migrations.

People Management & Development

• Manage employees and associates and take overall responsibility for the Operations Practice team, with oversight of all practice members' project work and ensuring line managers within the practice are supported. Conduct regular 1:1s and performance reviews in line with Strata's company procedures, collecting client and colleague feedback on team members and monitoring chargeability metrics.
• Promote the importance of developing everyone within the Operations Practice to their full potential. Take a strategic perspective to identifying the capability needs of the organisation now and in the future. Develop and maintain an organisational commitment to empowering individuals to take responsibility for their own learning.
• Recruit and retain a diverse, high-performing team ranging from Analysts to Senior Managers, establishing team standards for delivery methodology, knowledge management, and professional development.

Culture, Values & Governance

• Actively develop and protect the reputation of Strata, creating a sense of pride and passion around the business. Act in ways that are highly visible, inspirational, and credible at the most senior level across and outside the company.
• Demonstrate and promote communicating with honesty, integrity, impartiality, and objectivity. Use your influence to make a positive difference across the business and externally.
• Drive an inclusive and collaborative working culture that values diversity and encourages openness, approachability, and sensitivity. Build a strong, diverse network of professional relationships at the highest levels within the business, externally, and with Non-Executive Directors.
• Attend training and personal development courses as may be considered necessary.
• Comply with relevant health and safety legislation and the policies and procedures of Strata in the performance of duties.
• Willingness to travel regionally and nationally, with occasional international travel as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Required

• 15+ years of experience in asset management operations, investment technology, or management consulting
• 10+ years of hands-on Aladdin implementation experience across one or more modules: Portfolio Management, Risk & Analytics, Trading & Order Management, Middle Office, or Compliance
• Prior experience in a Director, VP, or Principal-level role with client ownership and delivery accountability.
• Deep understanding of investment operations workflows across front, middle, and back office within asset management
• Strong executive presence with ability to engage C-suite stakeholders and build trusted advisor relationships
• Track record of leading complex, multi-workstream engagements with $1M+ in annual revenue
• Experience managing and developing high-performing consulting teams

Preferred

• BlackRock Aladdin certification or formal Aladdin training credentials
• Experience with adjacent platforms such as SimCorp, Charles River IMS, Bloomberg AIM, or Broadridge
• Background in fixed income, multi-asset, or alternatives investment operations
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks relevant to asset managers (40 Act, ERISA, UCITS, AIFMD)
• MBA or advanced degree in Finance, Computer Science, or a related field
• Established network across the Greater Philadelphia, Delaware, or broader Mid-Atlantic asset management community

INCUSIVITY

We want to harness diverse thinking and aspire to have a diverse workforce because, in our view, diversity enables better business outcomes and we recognise that we need Inclusion, Diversity and Equality to be successful. We want to attract, retain and develop diverse talent at all levels

*AGENCY SUBMISSION DISCLAIMER

We kindly request that recruitment agencies, staffing firms, headhunters, and third-party recruiters refrain from contacting our employees or representatives for the purpose of presenting candidates or soliciting business. Any resumes or candidate information submitted will be considered unsolicited and may be used by our organization without any obligation to pay fees, commissions, or other compensation of any kind.